New Visitors: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the archive, as previous
lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first lesson is, "Why
This Discussion?"

For those who are well established in the
practices of Yoni Mudra Kumbhaka (lesson #91) and
Dynamic Jalandhara - Chin Pump (lesson #139), we
would now like to add an optional new feature. This is not a new practice,
but the leveraging of chin pump with a key element of yoni mudra kumbhaka.
Our routine will not change, but we will have a much more robust version of
chin pump to work with if we incorporate this option. I call the
enhanced practice "Yoni Chin Pump." It is an opportunity to greatly
accelerate the rise of ecstatic conductivity and energy flow in the head and
upper body, which, in turn, translates into increased ecstatic conductivity
and radiance throughout the whole body and beyond.

The enhanced practice is quite simple.

What we do is, during our normal session of chin
pump, instead of engaging in breath retention (kumbhaka) by using the
epiglottis to hold our breath in, we leave the epiglottis in the throat open
and block our nostrils from the outside by pinching our nose between the
thumb and index finger of one hand. This produces a steady, gentle pressure
in the nasal pharynx, nasal passages and sinuses in the same way that we do
when practicing yoni mudra kumbhaka. Only now we are doing it in chin pump
mode, which makes the whole process of chin pump much more stimulating and
dynamic.

What we do is, during our normal session of chin
pump, instead of engaging in breath retention (kumbhaka) by using the
epiglottis to hold our breath in, we leave the epiglottis in the throat open
and block our nostrils from the outside by pinching our nose between the
thumb and index finger of one hand. This produces a steady, gentle pressure
in the nasal pharynx, nasal passages and sinuses in the same way that we do
when practicing yoni mudra kumbhaka. Only now we are doing it in chin pump
mode, which makes the whole process of chin pump much more stimulating and
dynamic.

No doubt, the first question that comes to mind
is: "How do I pinch my nostrils closed with one hand while rotating my head
in chin pump?"

It is not so difficult. It is a matter of developing
the habit of tracking the rotations of the head with the arm and hand in
"zero gravity" mode. By this we mean lifting the arm and hand as the head is
going up, and letting the arm and hand go down with the head as it swoops in
the downward flowing chin pump rotation. Like that, we can train our arm and
hand to be as though in zero gravity, and then they will easily track the
head as though having no weight. The test (feedback) in accomplishing this
zero gravity function will be in noticing that we are neither putting a drag
on our nose, or leading ourselves by the nose with our hand either. If we
are dragging or leading we will notice and can make the necessary
adjustment. It is very easy to do. The nose leads. In yoni chin pump, the
nose knows!

Of course, if we would like to use a clip of some
sort on our nose (like a swimmer's clip), that would be okay too. There is
nothing sacred about using the hand. It is the "no-props" way to do it, and
that is all. If we use a clip, we will be faced with the issue of taking it
off and putting it back on between inhalations and exhalations, unless we do
all of our breathing through our mouth while leaving the clip on for the
whole session - yet another option. This would eliminate the airflow through
the nasal passages, leaving only the gentle pressure of the yoni effect, so
breathing through the mouth is not the ideal. But it is not unacceptable
either. It is a matter of personal choice on how we accomplish the mechanics
of yoni chin pump. We can adjust our own practice for best results.
Regardless of the procedure we use, the mudras we are using in chin pump
will not have to be changed, including whatever stage of kechari we may be
doing.

A couple of reminders: Beginning practitioners
should not engage in this practice. Better to go through the lessons in
order, building our practice routine in a stable step-by-step fashion. Those
who are ready to take on yoni chin pump should review the yoni mudra
kumbhaka and chin pump lessons mentioned above first.

As with all of the practices discussed in these
lessons, if there are any health issues that could be aggravated by doing
yoni chin pump, then better check with the doctor before attempting this.
Remember, we never force in any aspect of these practices. We are very
gentle and measured, especially in rotating the head, and in keeping the
pressure in our lungs and sensitive upper passages light, without any undue
pressure or forcing. The natural pressure from relaxed filled lungs is
ideal.

What sort of effects could we notice with yoni chin
pump? Essentially an amplification of whatever our experience has been with
chin pump so far. If we have ecstatic conductivity coming up, then that will
very likely be enhanced significantly, and will tend to stay will us for
longer during the day as we go about our regular activities, stabilizing the
overall effects gained in our twice-daily sitting practices.

Do not be surprised if you find some noticeable
excess energy flow occurring in the days or weeks after beginning yoni chin
pump. It is a powerful practice enhancement, so make sure to self-pace the
practice if excess purification is occurring. It is like everything else we
are doing in AYP. This is self-directed practice, and it is up to us to
regulate according to the sound principles of self-pacing as necessary. If
we do that, we will reap the most from our practices.

As mentioned above, we can continue with our regular
practices, including yoni mudra kumbhaka, as we have been doing before. We
each will find the right application of our practices according to our
bhakti (spiritual desire) and prudent application of the principles of
self-pacing.

There is also a practical time saving element in
yoni chin pump. If time is short, we can gain most of the benefits of doing
yoni mudra and chin pump by doing yoni chin pump only. So, if we are on the
go we can stimulate more ecstatic cultivation in less time. Of course, we do
not expect to see people doing yoni chin pump on the way to work on the
train, but who knows?

Remember too, that success with all of these
energy-related practices is highly dependent on our practice of deep
meditation and the cultivation of our inner silence. Everything we
accomplish in yoga rides on that. In time, it is the marriage of inner
silence and ecstatic conductivity within us that gives rise to the
outpouring of our divine nature in every day living. And that is good for
everyone. It is as practical as it is profound.